Carton filling or packing machine



Feb. 13, 1923 R. P. DE VRIES CARTON FILLING 0Rv PACKNG MAG'HINE Filed Aug,-A

, WWA.

R'. F. E VRIES CARTON FILLNG 0R PACKING MACHINE Feb. 13, 1923.

, '1921 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1V

IN1/EN TOR'.

A T TOR/VE YS. 4

1,445,431 R. P. DE VRIES CARTON FILLING 0R PACKING MACHINE Filed Aug. I7, 1921 4 sheets-sheen 5 Feb. 13,1923.

Feb. 13, 1923. 3,441,531 R. P. DE VRIES CARTON FILLTNG- OR PACKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1'7, '1921 4 sheets-sheet; 4

ya @f faq /f/ 4 Patented Feb., i3, i923.

REINIER P. DE VRIES, OF CLIFTONDALE, FIASSACHUSETTS.

CARTON FLLING OR PACKING MACHINE.

Application filed August 17, 1921.

To all 'L0 hom t may concern:

Be it known that I, RnINinR l?. DE Ynrns, a citizen oli the United States, residing at (llittondale, in the county of Esse); and Stat-e oit Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carton Filling or Packing, Machines; and l do hereby declare the following to be a ull, clear, and exact description o' the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to 'which it appertains to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reterence marked thereon, which form a part 'of this specification.

This invention relates, generally, to carton or box lilling machines; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to. a novel construction ot machine yfor assembling,` sugar tablets or cubes, or other articles of similar shape, in symmetrical piles,I layer upon layer, and then subdividing said piles into unit masses ot boxable size, and finally inserting such unitniasses into the cartons or boxes adapted to receive and contain the same.

The invention, therefore, has for its principal object to provide a novel machine for assembling sugar tablets or cubes intolayers, as they come from the molding` machine trays, thereupon to build up a symmetrical mass layer by layer, and then to subdivide such mass by a series of forward feeding movements whereby said mass is successively reduced to unit masses of boxable size, and whereby each unit mass is finally delivered to and inserted within a carton or box in which the same is packed for distribution.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for controlling and retaining the sugar tablets or cubes against displacement or disarrangen'ient during` the feeding and subdivision operations whereby the initial. mass is reduced to unit masses of boxable size.

@ther objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the 'following detailed description ot the same.

lV ith the various objects oil this invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel carton or box filling machine hereinafter set forth; and, the invention consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations ot the various devices and Serial No. 492,881.

parts, as well as in the details ot' the construction o'll the same, all ot' which willbe more .fully described in the following,` specifieation, and then finally embodied init-he appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a plan view ot the complete novel carton or box illing machine, made according to and embodyingY the principles ot' this invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same, taken on line 2--2 in said Figure l.

Figure 3 is a detail transverse vertical section, taken on line 3-3 in said F igure l, said view being drawn on an enlarged scale.

Figure 'il is a detail side elevation oll the carton or box filling devices ot the machine, viewed in the direction or' the arrow ai in Figure l, said view being also drawn on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a detail vertical longitudinal section of said carton or box iillincr devices et the machine, taken on line in said Figure l and drawn on an enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a detail plan fiew oli the receivi g end of the machine, illustrating how the trays of sugar 'from the moldingV inachines are initially arranged nreparatory to assembling' the sugar tablets or cubes into symmetrical layers, a d building' up the same layer by layer into the desired initial. mass operated upon by the carton or box Filling machine.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a pushbar device, used for transferring` the initial mass o'l sugar tablets or cubes from the assembling; table to the receiving runway ot' the machine.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all ot the hereinabove described. views` to indicate corresponding parts.

vlfteierring now to said drawings, the reference cha fac-ter l indicates a. table or bed supported by suitable standards or legs El. Said table or bed is provided at its rearward or receiving end with a rectangular opening,Y 3, in which is arranged a vertically movable elevator platform ll. Said elevator platform Ll is carried by a movable frame work consisting of vertical columns 5 which are vertically slidable in guides 6 suitably secured toy and mounted in connection with transverse tie-bars 7 which are fastened upon certain of said standards or legs 2.

The lower ends of said colun'ms 5 are connected together by a lower cross bar 8. An

'upper cross bar 9 interconnects said columns 5 at points intermediate the upper and lower ends of the same, said upper cross bar 9 being connected with said columns 5 by suitable coupling devices or Ts 10, which when the elevator platform 4 is lowered to 'registered or alined relation to the plane of said table or bed 1, engage the lower pair of guides 6, thus serving as stops for determining such lowered and alined position of said elevator platform. Fixed to and extending between said lower and upper cross bars 8 and 9 is a. vertical toothed rack 11. Secured to and extending between certain of said standards or legs 2 are longitudinally disposed tie-bars 12, upon which are fixedl bearino's 13 for journaling a transverse shaft 14. Fixed on Said shaft 14 is a gear wheel 15 which meshes operatively with said toothed rack 11. Suitably located in connection with certain of said standards or legs 2 is another longitudinally disposed tie-bar 16 upon which are fixed bearing members 17. Journaled in said bearing members 17 is a longitudinal shaft 18, one end of which projects rearwardly beyond the rearward end of the machine. Fixed on said rearwardly projecting end of said shaft 18 is a hand wheel 19 fo-r turning the same. Secured upon said shaft 18 is a wo-rm 20, and secured upon said transverse shaft 14 is a worm gear 2l which meshes with said worm 20. From an inspection of Figure 2, more particularly, it will be seen that by turning said hand wheel 19, the shaft 18 may be rotated to transmit through said worm 2O and worm gear 21 a rotary motion to said shaft 14, whereby the gear wheel 15 is caused to rotate upon said rack 11, to thereby cause an upward or downward movement of said elevator platform 4, as may be desired.

Secured to the rearward or receiving end of the table or bed 1, on each side of the opening 3, are upwardly projecting longitudinal vertical walls or flanges 22, which are held in place by brackets 23, or by any other suitable means. Extending between the forward ends of said walls or flanges 22 is a transverse flange or wall 24 which is spaced abo-ve the level of the table or bed 1 so as to provide an open space or passage 25 intermediate the same and said table or bed 1. In like manner there is arranged for extension between the rearward ends of said walls or flanges 22 another transverse flange .or wall 26, which is also spaced from the table or bed 1 to provide an intermediate passage or space 27. This lat-ter transverse flange or wall 26 is preferably made of plate glass, so as to be transparent for purposes which will be subsequently more fully described. One side wall or flange 22 and the forwa-rdtransverse flange or wall 24 are made slightly1 higher than the upper boundaries of the other side wall 22 and the transverse flange or wall 26, thus providing a right angled stop projection upon the inner sides of which is fixed a right angled clearance strip 28. Said flanges or walls 22, 24 and 26 together form a rectangular assem bling frame or box into which, by an upward movement thereof, the elevator platform 4 may be caused to enter.

Fixed upon and extending longitudinally l forward upon said table or bed 1 from said assembling frame or box, are pair of vertical side walls 29, respectively alined with the side walls or flanges 22 of said assembling frame or box. Said sidewalls 29 with the intermediate table surface provide a runway or feed channel 30, through which the initial mass` of assembled sugar tablets or cubes may be caused to move.

Means are provided for propelling the initial mass of assembled sugar tablets or cubes through the runway or feed channel 30. This means comprises a pair of longitudinal guide rails 31, which are elevated above the surface of the table or bed 1 by uprights or posts 32 upon which the same are supported. Said guide rails are provided with channeled ways 33 on their inner sides. Fixed to the inner sides of said guide rails so as to overlap the ways 33 are upper and lower track-plates 34. A carriage is provided for longitudinal movement in connection with said guide rails. This carriage comprises side plates 35 interconnected at their upper marginal portions by cross-bars 36. Said carriage is provided at each end with a pair of grooved traction wheels 37 which ride on said track-plates 34, whereby the carriage may be moved back and forth above said runway or feed channelV 30. Sup ported by said carriage, so that its lower end extends transversely across said runway or feed channel 30, is a push-plate 38. Said push-plate 38 is mounted between the side plates 35 of said carriage, at the rearward end of the latter, and is arranged for vertical lifting movement bctween guide studs 39 fixed to said side plates 35. The means for raising and lowering said pushfplate 38 comprises a -pair of vertical toothed racks 40 fixed to the forward face of the same at its upper end. Supported upon and straddling said cross-bars 36, intermediate the ends of the same. are a pair of bearing inembers 41, in which is journaled a transverse shaft 42. Fixed upon said transverse shaft 42, in positions corresponding to the positions or spacing of said racks 40 of the push-v plate 38` and so as to operatively mesh with said racks 40, are a pair of gears 43. One end of said shaft 42 is provided with a handle lever 44, by which the shaft may be turned, to cause vsaid gears 43 to rotate against the racks 40 whereby the push-plate 3S may be moved vertically upward to withdraw its lower or operative end out of the runway or feedv channel 30 when desired, and for a purpose presently to be more fully described. The means for causing the back and forth travel of the carriage, and the push-plate 38 carried thereby, comprises a pair of longitudinally extendino` stationary toothed racks 45 fixed to said table or hed 1 exterior-ly of said runway or feed channel 30. Fixed to and projecting outwardly from said side plates 35 of the carriage are bearings or hubs 4Gk for journaling in con nectine with said carriage a transverse shaft 41'. liixed on said transverse shaft 47, in positions corresponding to and so as to mesh with said racks 45 are gear wheels 48. One end of said transverse shaft 47 projects beyond a side edge of said table or bed 1, and iixed upon such end of said shaft is a hand wheel 48 for turning thesame. 1t will be apparent that when turned in one direction or the other, the shaft 47 will rotate the gear wheels 48 so that the same will travel on the racks 45, thus causing the carriage and its push-plate 38 to move longitudinally on the guide rails 31, according tothe direction of rotation thus imparted to the shaft.

At the discharge end of said runway or feed channel 30, the table or bed 1 is provided with a transverse extension 49x Ex tending outwardly and at a right angle from one side of the discharge end of said runway or feed channel 30, and upon said extension 49 of the table or bed 1, are a pair of spaced transversely disposed vertical side walls 50, which form with the intermediate surface of said extension 49 a transverse runway or feed channel 51 of reduced width. Means are provided for propelling a detached mass or subdivision of the initial mass of assembled sugar tablets or cubes through this said transverse runway or feed channel 51. This means comprises a pair of transverse guide rails "i2, which are elevated above the surface of the table or bed extension 49 by uprights or posts 53 upon which the same are supported. Said transverse guide rails are provided with channeled ways 54 on their inner sides. Fixed to the inner sides of said guide rails, so as to overlap the ways 54, are upper and lower tracleplates 55. A carriage is provided for transverse movement in connection with said guide rails 52. rlhis carriage comprises a top plate 5G havingcrossbars 5'( fixed to its under side. Fixed to the opposite ends of the outer cross bars 57 are grooved traction wheels 58 which ride on said tracplates 55, whereby the carriage may be moved transversely back and forth across the end of said main runway or feed channel 30, and thence over said transverse runway or feed channel 51. Connected with the cross bars at the forward end of said carriage is a depending` bracket member 59 to the lower end of which is iixed a pushplate (it), of proper width for entrance into and movement through said transverse runway or feed channel 51. rlhe means for causing the travel of the transversely movable carriage, thus provided, in either direction, comprises a pair of tooth racks 61 extending longitudinally of said carriage in proper spaced apart relation, and fixed to the upper surface of said top-plate 56. Secured in a suitable location upon said guide rails 52, in opposed position, are a pair of fixed bearing members 62. Journaled in said bearing members 62 is a shaft 63. Fixed on said shaft 63, in positions corresponding tothe positions or spacing of said racks 61, and so as to operatively mesh with the latter, are a pair of gear wheels 64. Fixed on one end of said shaft (i3 is a handwheel 65, by means of which the shaft 63 and its gear wheels G4 may be rotated. lt will be apparent that rotation of said gear wheels 64 in one direction or the other will transmit through the racks 61 propelling movement to said transversely movable carriage and its push-plate 6() in a correspond,

ing direction.

Arranged opposite the discharge end of said main runway or feed channel 30 is a transversely disposed yieldable gate member 66, which at proper times closes the said discharge end of the runway or feed channel 30. Said gate member 6G is arranged to readily yield or give way to the pressure of the initial mass of assembled sugar tablets or cubes, when the latter is forced forwardly to move out of the discharge end of said runway or feed channel 30. To this end there are mounted on the forward end of the table or bed 1 a pair of longitudinal guide rails 67 provided in their inner faces with channeled ways G8. Fixed to the inner sides of said guide rails GT, so as to overlap t-he ways 68, are upper and lower track plates 69. Connected with the outer side or face of said gate member Gt are a pair of forwardly projecting longitudinal carriage bars 70, upon the outer sides of which are mounted pairs of grooved traction wheels 71 which ride on said trackplates 69. Secured upon said table or bed 1 is a post 7 2 provided with a seating boss 73 against which is seated and braced one end of a compression or push springl 74. Suitably secured to said gate member GG is a seating boss 75 with which the opposite end of saidpush spring 74 is operatively engaged. When yielding to the pressure of the initial mass of sugar tablets or cubes, as the latter is propelled forwardly to pass out of the discl'iarge end of said runway or feed channel 30, the gate member 655 is finally brought to rest against stops 75 fixed on said table or bed 1, and when thus stopped, the said gate member 66 alines itself with the outermostwull 50 of the transverse runway or feed channel 5l, thereby prolon{Tging` the latter across the discharge end of the main runway or feed channel 80.

At the forward end of the extension 49 of the table or bed 1 is an oli-set longitudinal table extension 76 which crosses the discharge end of the transverse runway or feed channel 51. lllounted on this longitudinal table extension .are a pair of parallel side walls 7T providing a runway or delivery channel 78 open at .its respective free ends, and projecting outwardly from each side of said transverse runway or feed channel 51 with which it communicates. Associate l with the respective open discharge ends of said runway or dclivery channel 78 are out fardly projecting` box engaging lips 79 preferably made of sheet metal. Means are provided for alternately propelling toward the .respective discharge ends of the runway or delivery channel 78 a mass of assembled sugar tablets -or cubes detached from the mass of the latter as the same is fed into said runway or de- ,livery channel 78 from the transverse runway or feed channel 51. The mass so detached forming a unit mass of proper boxable size,vi. e., of proper dimensions to readily enter the box or carton to be filled. The propellingmeans thus cooperating with the runway or delivery channel 78, comprises a pair of longitudinal guide rails 80, which are elevated above the surface of the table extension 76 byuprights or posts 81 upon which the same are supported. Said longitudinal guide rails 80 are provided with channeled ways 82 on their inner sides. Fixed to the inner sides of sain guide rails 80, so as to overlap the ways 82, are upper and lower track plates 88. A carriage 8&1- isV provided for reciprocating longitudinal movement in connection'with said guide rails 80, This carriage comprises a suitable pair cross bars 85 having at their respective' 'ends grooved traction wheels 80 which ride on saidtracl: plates S8. Secured to and depending` from the underside of said crossbars 85 is a frame-work 87, having downward extensions 88 which project into said runway or delivery channel 78, and upon the forward and rear sides of which are fixed the forward in'ipelling push-plate 89 and the rearward iinpclling push-plate 90.

Suid push-plates 89 and 90 are properly sized to extend across said runway or delivery channel 78. ExtendingA transversely between said guide rails 80, in proper locations, are stop-bars 91, which respectively limit the outward movement of the carriage 8st .in each direction. The means for imparting movement to the carriage 84 comprises a pair of longitudinal toothed racks 92 suitably iixed to and elevated above the table, so that the inner rack crosses above the discharge end of the transverse runway or feed channel 51. Said `carriage framework 87 is provided withside plates 98, to which arc secured outwardly projecting` bearings or hubs 94 for journaling a transverse shaft 95. Fixed on said shaft 95, in positions respectively corresponding to the positions of the racks 92, are gear wheels 96 which mesh with said racks 92. Fixed on the outer end of said shaft 95 is a handwheel 97 for rotating the shaft to in turn cause the gears 96 to roll on the racks whereby movement in a desired direction may be imparted to the carriage 84's.

interconnected between the laterally opposite ends of the guide rails 80 are transverse end plates 98 to which are respectively secured centrally disposed hanger members 99 for supporting al stationary trip-bar 100 in longitudinal central extension above said runway or delivery channel 78. kConnected with the frame-work 87 of the carriage Sei are forwardly .projecting arms 101 and rearwardly projecting arms 102. Secured to the forwardly projecting arms 101 is a pivot plate 103 to the outer free end of which is pivotallyconnected or suspended a trip-plate 104i. Said tripplate 110-i has an upward extension 105 normally held againsu stop-pieces` 106 fixed to said arms 101 by a pull spring 10T. The lower end of said trip-plate 10a is provided, above said trip-bar 100, with bearing lugs 108 for journaling a roller 109 which rides upon ther upper edge of said trip-bar 100. Pivotally connected with the*` lower` end of said trip-plate 104, below said trip-bar 100, is a guard plate 110. j Connected with said guard-plate is an upwardly projecting centrally disposed arm 111 which swings through the space intermediate the bifurcations of said trip-plate 104, and journaled on the upper free end of said arm is a roller 112 which rides upon the lower edge of said trip-bar 100. Said trip bar 100 is provided at its upper edge with ainotch 118 in` which said roller 109 rests when the carriage is moved to its rearward limit. TheE under side or edge of said trip-bar 100 is provided withk a cutaway portion or scat 114C from the, bottom of which extends outwardly an inclined way 115. Wlhen the carriage Se occupies its rearward limit of movement, the .roller 112 is lodged in said cutaway portion or seatlll, thus permitting the guard plate 110 to swing downward into` vertical position, in which position it extends into said runway or delivery channel 78 being stopped against inward swinging-by a stop member 116 secured to said trip-bar 100. l/Vhen the carriage 84 is moved to its rearward limit, the forward impelling pushplate 89 is substantially alined with one side wall of the transverse runway or feed channel 51, while the depending guard-plate 110 is substantially alined with the opposite side wall. ofsaid runway or feed channel 51. Consequently asa mass of assembled sugar tablets o-r cubes is fed `out of the discharge end of said runway on feed channel 51 into said runway or delivery channel 78 it passes between said pusli-plate 89 and said guardplate 110, the guard-plate, serving to hold the tablets or cubes from tumbling out of place, both during the movement of the mass into 'the runway ordelivery' channel, as well as when the forward delivery movement of the same through the latter is ini tiated. i'Vhemit is desired to move the sugar forward through and discharge the same from the runway or delivery channel 78, it follows that the guard-plate 110 must be displaced to permit such movement. Such result is automatically. accomplished by the foravard movement of the carriage. I The forward movement. of the carriage causes the push-plate 89 tof press; against the mass of assembled sugar tablets or cubes extending across the runway or delivery channel 78, thereby initiating a forward outward movement of the same. At the sainey time, the forward movement of the carriage carries the trip-plate 104: outward also, but since the roller 109 meets with an initial resista-nce i through the forward discharge mouth of the runway or delivery channel 78. As will be apparent from an inspection of Figures et and more particularly, it will be seen that the automatic guard plate mechanism Yabove described is duplicated at the rearward end of the carriage 8a, the same being supported by the rearwardly projecting arms 10Ql above mentioned. For the purposes of identification of the detail structure of said rearward guard plate mechanism, the same reference numerals are applied thereto as to the forward guard plate mechanism. ln operation the rearward guard plate mechanism functions as above described, when the carriage 84 is-moved from its forward limit toward its rearward limit.

Having thus described in detail the various devices and parts making up my novel construction of carton or box kfilling machine, l will now briefly describe the operation of the same, when employed to assemble a mass of tablet or cube sugar, reduce said mass to boxable units, and then insert said boxable units into cartons or boxes prepared to receive the same.

rlhe sugar tablets 117, or cubes as the case may be, are deposited from the molding machine upon trays 118 (see Figure G), so that the tray carries a layer of sugar tablets each spaced or segregated from its fellows. After the tablets are dried, the trays are ready for removal to the packing machine. The first operation, is to raise the elevator platform l adjacent to the clearance strip 28 so that one side and end of the platform is bounded thereby and by the right angled stop projection formed by the upwardly projecting portions of one side wall 22 and the transverse flange or wall 26. The tray 118 is now placed upon the platform l in stopped relation as shown in Figure 6. The operator now makes use of a hand square 119, or even a straight edge, and slides the tablets 117 together both longitudinally and laterally against said clearance strip Q8 to form a compact layer thereof, and then holding the tablets against movement by means of said hand square 119, slips the tray from beneath the tablets, leaving the compact layer thereof resting upon the elevator platform 4f. The elevator' platform @L is now manipulated, by means of the operating mechanism therefor, to slightly lower the same to carry the layer of tablets thereon downward into the assembling frame, for a distance equal the thickness of the layer, and preferably somewhat more in the case of the first layer. The operator isI aided in gaging the desired downward movement of the platform l by reason of the trans parency of the fiange or wall 2G, whereby the operator is readily enabled to see just how far down the layer of sugar tablets has descended into the assembling fra-me. The operator now places a second tray of sugar on the first layer deposited upon the platform, and after compacting the tablets as above described, withdraws said tray, leav- I ing a second layer of tablets imposed upon the first layer. The assembling f nine, since :it bounds the first layer of tablets, prevents any displacement of the same, when the second tray is withdraw. The platform is again lowered to withdraw said second layer of tablets into the embrace of the as sembling frame, whereupon the operations are again repeated until a symmetrical mass of sugar tablets comprised of the desired number of layers of tablets is built up on the platform 1. The thickness of the clearance strip 28, against which the layers are formed, provides for such spacing` of the mass of sugar built up` that as the saine is withdrawn downwardly into the assem bling frame it readily clears the sides of the latter without undue friction tending` to disarrange the assembled mass. Then the initial mass of tablets, as 120, is thus cont pleted, the platform 4C is lowered to the plane of the table or bed 1, whereupon the assembled initial mass of tablets is transferred from the platform into the receiving end of they runway or channel SO. rlhis latter operation is accomplished by means of push-bar 121 such as shown in Figure 7. The operator places this push-bar against the outer end of the initial mass 120 by passing the same through the space 27 beneath the flange or wall 26, and by then pressing forwardly with the same, slides the mass 120 through the space 25 beneath the flange, or wall 211 and thence into the runway or feed channel 30.

After the initial mass 120` is deposited in the runway or feed channel 30, the carriage upon which the push-plate 23S is 'mounted is moved rearwardly. Before starting this carriage rearward the handle lever lll is operated to transmit a lifting` movement to said push-plate 38, whereby the same is raised out of said runway or feed channel 30 and held in such raised position while the oarr'age travels rearward, thus causing the push plate to pass over the 120 of sugar tablets, after which the push-plate 38 A' is lowered to position the same behind the rearward end of said mass 120. llVhen the push-plate 38 is thus lowered into the runway or feed channel 30 behind the mass 120, the carriage is caused to move forward, whereby the push-plate engages the mass 120 and propels or slides the same forwardly through the runway or feed channel 30. This forward feeding movement of the mass 120 carries the forward end of the same outwardly through the discharge end of the runway or feed channel, pushing outward the yieldable gate member 66, so that a portion of the mass 120 is alined with the receiving end of the transverse runway or feed channel 51. The transverse runway or feed channel 51 is of a width approximating the depth of the cartons or boxes proposed to be filled, sothat the width of the mass 19,0vwhich is to be removed from the initial mass 120 will correspond substantially to the depth of the box or carton in which a portion thereof is to be ultimately delivered. The carriage supporting' the push-plate G0, having' been retracted before projection of the forward end of the mass 120 into alinement with transverse runway or feed channel 51, is now ready to be moved forward. The operator thereupon causes the forward movement of said carriage which forces the push-plate 60 forward into engagement with the mass 120', thereby propelling or sliding' the same forward so as to detach the same from the initial mass 120, and thereupon push the same into the transverse runway or channel 51. The forward end of the reduced mass 120 is, by forward movement thus imparted thereto, projected out of the transverse runway or feed channel 51, into the runway or delivery channel 78 in front of the forward push-plate 89 of the carriage 84, as shown in Figures 1 and 5 more particularly. The runway or delivery channel is of a width approximating the length of the cartons or boxes proposed to be filled, so that the width of mass 120 of assembled sugar tablets .projected into said runway or delivery channel and adapted to be removed from the massy 120 will readily move into the box or carton when impelled forward. The height of the mass corresponds to the width of the box or carton to be filled, so it will be apparent that the various feeding operations when successively continued will reduce the initial massv of assembled sugar tablets to boxable units.

rfwo operators may be employed to handle the boxes orcartons, and to operate the carriage 84 to move theboxable units of assembled sugar tablets into said boxes or cartons. One operator functions at the forward end of said runway or delivery channel 78 and one at the rearward end of the same. As indicated in Figure 5 a box 122 is telescoped over the lips 79 so as to register the open end of the same with. one discharge end of the runway or delivery channel, whereupon the operator holds the box in place with one hand and manipulates the hand wheel 97 lof the carriage @et with the other, so as to propel a boxable unit 120 into the bon. ln the meantime, the initial mass 120 and the mass 120 are lrept moving up step by step as required, soV that by the time one box is filled, a succeeding boxable unit 120` is moved into the runwayfor delivery channel on the opposite sde of the carriage 84 and its push-plates, ready for the opposite operator to reverse the movement of the carriage 84 to feed the boxable unit into the box or carton positioned at the opposite end of the runway or delivery channel 78. The above described operations may be repeated indefinitely as long as a supply of sugar is maintained.

The operation of the guard-plates 110 has already been descril'ied, so further reference thereto will be unnecessary.

lt will be understood that liythetimeV a mass 120` is entirely entered `in the transverse runway or feed channel 51, and before the puslrplate 60 is carried past the gate member 66, the carriage supporting said push-plate GO is retracted to initial position, so that the spring M pressing upon the gate member 66 will move the same against the end of the mass 120 until the latter is again pushed forward to vdeliver a succeeding mass 120 in behind the first delivered mass 120, whereby a train of material 'is maintained in step by step movement through said runway or feed channel 51. ln like manner as soon as a-succeeding initial mass 120 of assembled sugar tablets is prepared and delivered into the runway or feed channel 30, the carriage supporting the push-plate 38 is manipulated to propel the succeeding assembled mass 120 behind theipreceding mass first delivered, so that a train of material is maintained in step by `step movement through said runway or feed channel 30 as required.

From the above description it will be plain that the mechanism is of a very simple character, and yet Well adapted to assemble into an initial mass the material operated upon, and then divide said mass by successive reductions into bearable units, which are thereupon delivered into the boxes or cartons made ready for their reception. rfhe machine will enable a large quantity of material to be efficiently handled with dispatch, and With comparatively small labor expense.

l am aware that some changes may be made in the various arrangements and combinationsof the various devices and parts of the present invention, as Well as in the details of the construction thereof, Without departing from the scope of the` same as set forth in the foregoing specification, and as defined in the following claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of parts as described in the foregoing specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of construction of the various parts as illus trated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1. n a machine of the kind described, a table, a vertically movable platform at the receiving end of said table, an assembling frame with which said platform cooperates, a main longitudinal feed channel formed on said table, means for feeding assembled inaterial through said feed channel, a transverse feed channel of diminished size forming a junction with the discharge end of said main feed channel, means for detaching and feeding a portion of the assembled material through said transverse feed channel, a. delivery Vchannel crossing the discharge end of said tiansverse feed channel, means for detaching and moving` through said delivery channel a portion of the assembled material discharged from said transverse feed channel, and means for operatively engaging a. receptacle `With the discharge end of said delivery channel to receive the portion of material discharged from the latter.

Q. ln a machine of the kind described, a table, a vertically movable platform at the receiving end of said table, an assembling frame vvith Which said platform cooperates, and means mounted on said table to receive the initial mass of assembled material from said platform for propulsion therethrough whereby said initial mass is subdivided to reduce the same to successively formed boxable units, and means for delivering said boxable units into boxes.

3, ln a machine of the kind described, a table, a vertically movable platform at the receiving` end of said table, an assembling frame with which said platform cooperates, a main longitudinal feed channel formed on said table, guide rails above and paralleling said main feed channel, a carriage movable on said guide rails, a pusli-plate supported by said carriage for travel in said main feed channel, means for raising said push-plate out of said feed channel during the refractive movement of said carriage, means for propelling said carriage, a transverse feed channel of diminished size forming a junction with the discharge end of said main feed channel, transverse guide rails above and paralleling said transverse feed channel, a second carriage movable on said transverse guide rails, a push-plate supported by said second carriage for travel in said transverse feed channel, means for propelling said second carriage, a delivery chani nel crossing the discharge end of said transverse feed channel, a third set of guide rails above and paralleling said delivery channel,

third carriage movable on said last mentioned guide rails, a push-plate supported by said third carriage for travel vin said delivery channel, means for propelling said third carriage, and means for operatively engaging a receptacle with the discharge end of said delivery channel to receive material discharged from the latter.

l. ln a machine of the kind described, a table, a vertically movable platform at the receiving` end of said-table, an assembling frame with which said platform cooperates, a main longitudinal feed channel formed on said table, guide rails above and paralleling said main feed channel, a carriage movable on said guide rails, a push-plate supported by said carriage for travel in said main feed channel, means for raising said push-plate out of said feed channel during` the reti-active movement of said carriage, means for propelling said carriage. a transverse feed channel of diminished size forn'iing a junction ivith the discharge end of said main feed channel, transverse guide rails above and j iaralleling said transverse feed channel, a second carriage movable on said transverse guide rails, a push-plate supported by said second carriage for travel in said transverse feed channel, means for propelling said second carriage, a yieldable gate mem-- ,ber movable to close the discharge end of said main feed channel, stops on said table for limiting the opening movement of said gate member and alining the same ivith the outer side of Said transverse feed channel, a delivery channel crossing the discharge end of said transverse feed channel, a third set of guide rails above and paralleling said delivery channel, a third carriage movable on said last mentioned guide rails, a push-plate supported by said third carriage for travel in said delivery channel, means for propelling,` said third carriage, and means for operatively engaging a receptacle with the discharge end of said delivery channel to receive material discharged from the latter.

In a machine of the kind described, a. table, a vertically movable platform at the receiving' end of said table, an assembling frame with 'which said platform cooperates, a main longitudinal feed channel formed on said table, `@guide rails above and paralleling said main feed channel, a carriage movable on said guide rails, a push-plate lsupported by said carriage for travel in said main feed channel, means for raisins; said puslrplate out Vof said feed channel durintgthe retractive movement of said carriage, means for propelling` said carriage, a transverse feed channel of diminished size forming a `iunction with the discharge end of said main feed channel, transverse guide rails above and parallelingj said transverse feed channel, a second carriage movable on said transverse `guide rails, a push-plate supported by said second carriage for travel in said transverse feed channel, means for propeilingv said second carriage, a yieldable gate member movable to close the discharge end of said main feed channel, stops on said table for limiting the opening' movement of said gate member and alining the same with the outer side of said transverse feed channel, a delivery channel crossing the discharge end of said transverse feed channel, a third set of ,guide rails above and paral leline; said delivery channel, a third carriage movable on said last mentioned `guide rails, a push-plate supported by said third carriage for travel in said delivery channel, means for propelling,y said third carriage, a movable guard plate carried by said carriage and off-set from the push-plate thereof to provide an intermediate space for the reception of niaterial from said transverse feed channel, means for automatically removing said guard plate from the path of the material as the latter is propelled onward through said delivery channel by said third carriage and its push-plate, and means for operatively engaging a receptacle with the discharge end of said delivery channel to receive material discharged from the latter.

6. ln a machine of the kind described. the combination with a table provided with an opening, of an elevator platform registerable in` said opening, an assembling' frame supported upon said table above said opening', means for raising,` and lowering` said elevator platform into and out of said assembling frame, stop means associated with said platform raising,- and lowering means for limitingthe upward movement of said. elevator platform into said assembling frame', and a right angled upward projection connected with said assembling frame to bound one side and end of said elevator platform when in raised position.

7. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with a table provided with an opening, of an elevator platform, registerable in said opening', an assembling frame supported upon said table above said opening, means for raising and lowering` said elevator platform into and out of said assembling; frame, stop means associated with said platform raising;` and lowering means for limiting the upward movement of said elevator platform into said assemliling` frame, and a right angled upward projection connected with said assembling' frame to bound one side and endof said elevator platform when in raised position, one side of said assembling` frame being' made of tiansparent material through which material deposited upon said elevator platform is visible when lowered by downward movement of the latter into the embrace of" said assembling fra-me.

8. ln a machine of the kind described, the combination with a table of a. supporting frame-work therefor, said table having; an opening therein, an assembling frame sup` ported upon said table above said-opening, an elevator platform registerable with said opening, guides connected with said if" meworlr, means for supporting said platform slidable in said `guides, a rack connected with said supporting means, a shaft having a gear mounted thereon to mesh with said rack, transmissionmeans for rotating' said shaft and gear whereby said platform may be raised and lowered into and out of said assembling` frame, stop means on said platform slipporting means eoopei'ating` with the ripper guides thereof for limiting' the upward movement of said platform into said assembling frame, and a right angled upward projection connected with said assembling frame to bound one side and end of said platform when in raised positio-n.

f). ln a machine of the hind described, the combination with a table of a supporting, frame-work therefor, said table having* an opening therein, an assembling frame supported upon said table above said opening', an elevator platform registerable with said opening, guides connected with said framework, means for supporting said platform slidable in said guides, a rack connected with said supporting means, a shaft havingl aY gear mounted thereon to mesh with said rack, transmission means for rotating' said shaft and gear whereby` said platform may be raised and lowered into and out of said assembling frame? stop means on said plat V.torni supporting means cooperating with the upper guides thereof ior limiting the upward movement of said platform into said assembling frame, and a right angled upward projection connected with said assembling iframe to bound one side and end oi said platform when in raised position, one side of said assembling iframe being made o't transfiarent material through which niaterial deposited upon said elevator platvform is visible when lowered by downward movement oiE the latter into the embrace of said assembling `frame.

l0. In a machine ot the kind described, means providing a longitudinal runway, a transverse runway ot reduced width adjoining the discharge end of said longitudinal runway, a yieldable gate member movable to close the discharge end of said longitudinal runway, and stops for limiting the opening` movement oi? said gate member and alining the same with the outer side oit said transverse runway.

ll. ln a machine oi: the liind described, means providing a longitudinal runway, a transverse runway ot' reduced wid-th adjoining the discharge end of said longitudinal runway, a yieldable gate member movable to close the discharge end of said longitudinal runway, bracket arms for supporting said gate-member, rollers on saidv bracket arms, track rails on which said rollers ride, spring means lor normally forcing said gate-memY ber to closed positioin and stops for limiting the opening movement of said gate member and alining the same with the outer side ot said transverse runway.

l2. ln a machine el the kind described, the combination with a delivery runway7 oli means for feeding material thereto, a movable propelling means t'or discharging material 'troni said delivery runway` said movable propelling means having a guard plate means off-set therefrom wl'iereby the mate rial to be discharged is delivered with said delivery `runway intermediate said propelling means and said guardeplate, means for pivotally supporting said guard-plate, and a trip mechanism cooperating with said guard-plate upon operative movement o'l said propelling means to turn said guard plate out o't the path of the material as the latter is propelled toward the (fliscliarge niouth of said delivery runway.

lin testimony7 that I claim the invention setI forth above l have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of July, 1921.

RENIER P. DE VRIES. Vitnesses GEORGE R. VVIGHT, R. S. KENT. 

